Looking for a short but memorable tour of Krakow for important guests or business clients? This three-hour private tour combines a visit to the Market Square Underground - one of the most interesting archaeological museums beneath the Main Market Square - with stories about traces of World War II in the immediate area. It’s an ideal way to show guests both the deep history of the city and moments of more recent, difficult memory, all presented in an elegant, tailored format.
As a licensed guide with many years of experience, I lead this route with care for pace, content and atmosphere - the private format gives us the comfort of questions, conversation and focusing on what most interests the group.
This tour is perfect for delegations, VIP clients, business groups and anyone who prefers an intimate, professional guiding experience without the crowds.
The offer is friendly, reliable and free of excessive formality - I tell true stories in an accessible way, with an anecdote where appropriate.
This itinerary avoids vagueness: you will visit specific sites, see authentic archaeological finds and hear about World War II traces in central Krakow - both visible and hidden.
We meet at an agreed spot on the Main Market Square - most often by the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) or in front of the Town Hall Tower. We start punctually to make the most of the available time.
Descent to the Market Square Underground - the museum beneath the square is the heart of this route. The Underground is a large archaeological reserve where we will see the remains of medieval commerce, everyday objects and modern multimedia displays that help reconstruct what the square once looked like. This part lets you feel the atmosphere of old Krakow and see authentic archaeological discoveries.
A walk across the surface of the Market Square with commentary on key viewpoints - the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica and the surrounding townhouses - explaining how the city changed over the centuries and how these sites relate to later historical events.
Traces of World War II - during the program we will discuss wartime presence and memory in the city center: places connected with the operation of the ghetto and daily life under occupation in Krakow, sites of memory and a short explanation of how to 'read' wartime traces in the urban landscape. If desired we can include parts of the route connected with Schindler’s Factory and Kazimierz, depending on interests and available time - to be arranged at booking.
We finish in a quiet spot - I suggest a place for a short coffee or a wrap-up conversation; this is time for questions, culinary recommendations and logistics for the rest of your stay in Krakow.
The Market Square Underground is an archaeological reserve beneath the eastern part of the Main Market Square - a place where the layers of the city’s history are literally within reach. The museum space contains excavations and recovered everyday objects, historic vessels, coins and multimedia interpretations that recreate the atmosphere of the medieval market.
Along the route we will see reconstructions and digital presentations that explain Krakow’s links to European trade routes and its role in the Middle Ages. For business guests this is an excellent illustration of the continuity of commerce and the importance of place - a topic that often interests delegations and international partners.
Important: part of the exhibition is underground and requires going down stairs - please plan comfortable footwear and inform me about any mobility limitations.
Time spent in the Underground is visually and intellectually engaging - I aim to combine information with curiosities and concrete references to places we will later see on the surface of the Market Square.
For VIP groups I provide a personalized approach: we choose story accents according to interests (architecture, trade, everyday life, military history, social history, etc.).
In the city center you can find many 'traces' of World War II - not always as visible ruins, more often as places of memory, fragments of infrastructure or stories connected to particular buildings and neighborhoods. I will explain how to recognize these traces and how to read Krakow’s historical space.
The program includes a narrative about everyday life under occupation on the Old Town and in Kazimierz, the fate of the Jewish community, places that remember dramatic events and contemporary memory initiatives. Everything is presented with respect and in an accessible way for guests with different levels of historical knowledge.
If the group wishes, I will point out related sites during the tour (for example parts of the former ghetto and locations connected with the film 'Schindler’s List') - depending on interest and time we can extend the program beyond three hours or plan another dedicated visit.
I emphasize empathy when discussing difficult topics - memory and respect are priorities, and the presentation of facts is reliable and approachable.
For business guests I often give context: how historical events shaped the modern identity of the city and how this history is perceived by international partners.
A private VIP route means full customization - pace, content and style of guiding are agreed with the organizer. For business guests I can offer:
- guiding in English on request,
- cooperation with your hotel reception or conference organizer regarding meeting point and transport,
- recommendations for places suitable for a business lunch or a quiet meeting after the tour (for example: Wierzynek, Café Noworolski, or other nearby venues that fit your schedule and style),
- personal audio sets to improve audibility in a group (useful in busy places),
- flexible timing - an earlier finish or an extension of the tour if the schedule allows.
I organize everything so that guests feel comfortable and the visit is both inspiring and time-efficient.
Duration: about 3 hours. The route is planned to fit this time with a moderate pace and a few brief stops for explanations.
Meeting point: Main Market Square - I will give the exact meeting spot when your booking is confirmed. Please be punctual as time is limited.
Group size: private tour - number of people to be agreed at booking. I have audio sets for groups which help during visits with larger teams.
Accessibility: some attractions are underground and require stairs. If anyone in your group has limited mobility, please tell me when booking and I will propose a modified route.
Price and payment: cost and payment details are arranged individually at booking. For business and VIP groups I prefer advance confirmation and can provide invoicing on request.
Weather and dress: although part of the tour is underground, the walk also includes time on the Market Square surface - comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
Q: Is the tour suitable for children? - Yes, but this version is mainly aimed at adults and business guests. If children come along I will gladly adapt language and anecdotes.
Q: Can you take photos in the Underground? - In most sections photography without flash is allowed, but final rules depend on the museum’s regulations that day; I will inform the group on site.
Q: Does the tour cover difficult topics like genocide and the ghetto? - Yes. I address historically important and difficult topics with empathy and accuracy. If the group prefers not to go into these subjects, I will adjust the scope of the narrative.
Q: How to book a date? - The easiest way is via the contact form or direct email/phone contact; please provide the date, number of people and any language preferences.
Q: How far in advance should we book? - For VIP groups and delegations I recommend booking several days to several weeks in advance, especially during the tourist season and if you want museum visits at a specific time.
If you plan a business lunch after the tour, I will happily recommend nearby places where you can continue conversations comfortably. I know reliable spots for quick meetings as well as longer, more representative meals.
For international partners it’s worth scheduling a short historical context briefing in the program: a concise introduction to the city’s past can enrich business conversations and strengthen relations among participants.
If you want to continue exploring memory and history after the tour, I can propose a follow-up thematic route focused on 20th century history, a visit to Schindler’s Factory Museum or a Memory Trail in Kazimierz.
I look forward to your contact - I will do my best to make your guests’ visit to Krakow valuable and enjoyable.
See you at the Market Square!
